WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/LIC/N/3/HND/1 
12 November 2007 
 
 (07-4892) 
Committee on Import Licensing Original:   Spanish 
  
 
REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES
1 
 
Notification under Article 7.3 of the Agreement on  
Import Licensing Procedures  
 
HONDURAS 
   The following communication, dated 19 Octobe r 2007, has been received from the delegation 
of Honduras. 
 
_______________ 
 
 
I. MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK (SAG) 
A. G
ENERAL DIRECTORATE OF PLANT HEALTH  
Outline of system  
1. Import permits are required to ensure that plants, plant products and by-products, and 
products and inputs for agricultural use have been inspected via the proper procedures and do not constitute a potential risk as carriers of pests or diseases. 
 Permits are issued to Honduran citizens, na tural persons and legally constituted entities and 
foreigners either resident or represented in Honduras. 
Purposes and coverage of licensing
 
2. Plants, plant products and by-pro ducts, and products and inputs for agricultural use, such as 
fertilizers and substrates;  cotton and cotton produc ts;  coffee and coffee products;  grain and grain 
products;  sugar cane and by-produc ts;  condiments;  cut flowers (roses, gardenia, lilac, camellia, 
rhododendron, azalea, etc.);  fruit and vegetables;  fro zen fruits and vegetables;  agricultural inputs;  
groundnuts and by-products;  plant fibre materials;  inert materials as a substrate medium;  
manufactured and semi-manufactured products;  wo od and wood products, except for veneered wood, 
plywood and laminated wood;  wicker and rattan for furniture manufacturing;  soil samples;  foliage, 
etc.;  ornamental plants;  processed potatoes;  plants  and plant products for or  capable of propagation;  
aromatic and medicinal plants;  roots and tubers;  seed potatoes;  oilseed for animal feed;  and tobacco 
and tobacco products. 
3. The permit system applies to products from any country. 
                                                      
1 See G/LIC/3, Annex, for the questionnaire. G/LIC/N/3/HND/1 
Page 2  
 
  4. The procedure is not intended to limit the amount of imports but to prevent the introduction of 
pests and diseases. 
5. Constitution of the Republic:  Article 245, secti ons 11, 116 and 118 of the General Law on 
Public Administration, Article 43 of Decree No. 157-94, Law on Plant and Animal Health, 
Amendment to Law on Plant and Animal Health Decree No. 344-2005. 
 The import permit procedure is mandatory.  Th e legislation specifies the products which are 
subject to this procedure. 
Procedures
 
6. Not applicable. 
7. (a) Applications for phytosanitary permits must be made at least 15 days prior to the 
arrival of the imports in the country, sav e in exceptional cases which will be covered 
in the relevant technical handbooks on proce dure.  Normal practice is for the licence 
to be issued within a period not exceeding 72  hours, but it is gene rally issued within 
24 hours;  where imported items have already arrived in port, in exceptional cases compliance with the requirements is ch ecked, and if there are no objections the 
licence may be issued immediately.  Extens ion is always possible where the applicant 
complies with the legal requirements. 
(b) Not applicable. 
(c) Sole responsibility for examining the information lies with an administrative body, 
namely the Technical Sub-Directorate of Plant Health, acting through the Plant Quarantine Department of SENASA/SAG, Av e. La FAO, Col. Loma Linda Norte, 
Tegucigalpa, Honduras. 
8. A permit may be refused if a product has not been previously imported and constitutes a 
phytosanitary risk to the country;  this is dete rmined through phytosanitary risk analysis, and the 
technical grounds for refusal are notified directly to th e applicant.  Applicants have no right of appeal 
against a negative technical determination. 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
 
9. Permits are issued to Honduran nationals, na tural persons, legally constituted entities and 
foreigners either resident or represented in Honduras. 
 There is a registration system only for importe rs of seeds for commercial purposes, for which 
a tax is charged, payable every two years, of L. 500 for importers and L. 2,000 for merchants;  the 
details are available in a database held by the Seed Certification Department. 
Documentational and other require ments for application for licence  
10. The information to be provided in applications  is set out in the document "Applications for 
Import Permits for Plant Products and By-Products" i ssued by the Technical Sub-Directorate of Plant 
Health. 
 A pro forma invoice must be attached. 
  G/LIC/N/3/HND/1 
 Page 3 
 
 
  11. An international phytosanitary export certificate from the country of origin or provenance is 
required for all fresh products;  certificates of quality have to accompany the shipment in certain cases, and endangered species are subject to special documentation requirements such as a CITES certificate issued by the country of origin. 
12. Either a fee is charged or the application costs L. 250 per import permit. 
13. No deposit or advance is required other than th e costs of the application in question, as 
mentioned in the preceding reply, and these are not refundable if the application is refused. 
Conditions of licensing
 
14. The period of validity of an import permit is 30 calendar days, renewable within five calendar 
days after payment of the due amount;  renewal ma y not be refused unless the phytosanitary grounds 
have changed. 
15. No penalty is applicable except on expiry of the permit in question. 
16. Import permits are not transferable. 
17. They are not subject to conditions, except wh ere these are applied for investigation purposes 
and where direct supervision by official bodies is required on entry into the importing country. 
Other procedural requirements  
18. There are no other procedures prior to importation. 
19. Not applicable. 
B. GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF ANIMAL HEALTH (DEPARTMENT OF SAG) 
Outline of system  
1. Import permits are required for the importati on of certain animals and animal products, 
organisms and vectors, and veterinary biol ogical products, to protect Honduras against the 
introduction of diseases that do not exist in the country. 
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
2. Persons interested in importing products and by -products of animal origin as well as products 
for veterinary use must submit an application in th e form laid down by the Ministry of Agriculture 
and Livestock (SAG).  The application must state the name, address and country of the supplier, the 
quantity and type of product to be imported, the me ans of transport and the customs port of entry into 
the country.  Permits are valid for a single shipment  and for a period of 30 calendar days.  In the case 
of veterinary products, the importer must have the relevant product and establishment registration 
document issued by the SENASA Veterinary Products Control Department. 
 Animals and animal products 
 Domestic farm livestock and other species that may carry diseases that could affect Honduran 
livestock and poultry;  products a nd by-products derived from animals (livestock) in any manner for 
commercial or research uses;  poultry and hatching eggs and other avian species;  animal and avian specimens, tissues or blood products or by-products;  materials that have been exposed to animal G/LIC/N/3/HND/1 
Page 4  
 
  products capable of contamination with disease ag ents;  samples of dairy products, hay, straw, 
grasses, etc. for scientific uses from countries consider ed to be affected with diseases such as foot-
and-mouth disease, avian influenza or bovine spongi form encephalopathy;  germplasm – semen and 
embryos (livestock);  organisms that affect livestock and avian species and various vectors of such organisms;  veterinary biological products, incl uding seeds and substrates;  pharmaceutical products 
for veterinary use. 
3. The import permit system applies to animal s and products of any origin, with a few 
exceptions depending on zootechnical aspects of th e species and the country's disease status.  Permits 
for products apply to all countries according to their sanitary status and the type of product involved. 
4. The import permit system is not intended to restri ct the quantity or value of imports, but only 
to prevent the introduction or entry of animal diseases or disease vectors. 
5. Constitution of the Republic:  Article 245, secti ons 11, 116 and 118 of the General Law on 
Public Administration, Article 43 of Decree No . 157-94, Amendment to Law on Plant and Animal 
Health Decree No. 344-2005. 
 The import permit procedure is mandatory.  Th e legislation specifies the products which are 
subject to this procedure. 
Procedures
 
6. Not applicable. 
7. (a) The rules stipulate that the applicati on must be submitted at least 15 days prior to 
importation. 
(b) A permit cannot be issued immediately following the application. 
According to the legislation, within 15 working days following receipt of the 
application, but for reasons of internal or ganization the permit must be issued within 
72 hours.  Within 30 working days from the date of issue;  may be renewed provided 
that it has not expired for more than five calendar days.  However, the technical sub-
directorate which granted the permit may amend or cancel it if there is a change in the 
sanitary status of the exporting country or on any other plant or animal health 
grounds, in accordance with the regulations which the sub-directorate may lay down by law. 
 
(c) The Technical Sub-Directorate of Animal Health has sole responsibility for 
examining applications. 
Yes, it is possible to access all applicati ons, which are dealt with in chronological 
order.  There is no fixed quantity per impor ter.  New importers must be properly 
registered as such with the department of  veterinary products, and the sanitary status 
of the exporting country is examined. 
8. An import permit may be refused if any of the re quirements laid down in the legislation is not 
met;  the applicant is notified of the grounds for refu sal.  Applicants have the right of appeal to the 
Technical Sub-Directorate of Animal Health.  G/LIC/N/3/HND/1 
 Page 5 
 
 
  Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
9. All natural and legal persons meeting the requirements laid down in the SENASA regulations. 
Documentational and other require ments for application for licence  
10. The information to be supplied in applic ations is that indicated on the forms. 
11. -  Invoice; 
-  Animal health import certificate; 
-  Single Central American Customs Form; -  Certificate of origin. 
12. User charges in connection with importation are payable. 
13. Not applicable. 
Conditions of licensing
 
14. The period of validity of an import permit is  30 calendar days.  It may be extended on 
condition that the importer applies for an extension five days prior to expiry. 
15. There are no penalties for non-use of a permit. 
16. Import permits are not transferable among importers. 
17. The issuing of a permit is not subject to any other conditions.  The applicant must comply 
with the licensing requirements.  The importer guara ntees the accuracy of the information supplied in 
the application. 
Other Procedural Requirements  
18. There are no administrative procedures prior to importation, only the check on the sanitary 
status of the country of provenance of the product. 
19. Not applicable. 
II. MINISTRY OF HEALTH 
A. DIRECTORATE OF HEALTH REGULATION  
Outline of system  
1. The importation into Honduras of narcotic and psychotropic substances and precursor 
chemicals is subject to an import licensing system ( non-automatic licences) in order to ensure that the 
procedures employed by authorized importers are in conformity with international obligations (Single 
Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971, and Convention 
Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Ps ychotropic Substances, 1988).  National regulations 
also require that the imported substances meet medical, scientific and industrial requirements and 
remain in the legitimate distribution channels.  Th e importation of these substances is covered by the 
Health Control Regulations. G/LIC/N/3/HND/1 
Page 6  
 
  Purposes and coverage of licensing
 
2. Prospective importers of controlled drugs (am phetamine, methamphetamine, barbituric acids), 
narcotics (codeine, morphine) and precursor ch emicals (pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, potassium 
permanganate) must apply for an import permit.  Th e application must specify the supplier's name, 
address and country, the quantity and type of su bstances to be imported as well as the method of 
transport and the customs port of entry.  Permits are valid for one shipment only. 
 Prospective importers must have a sanitary registration certificate issued by the Ministry of 
Health.  Similarly, the establishment importing th e product must have a valid operating licence. 
 3. Import restrictions apply to all countries that are parties to the United Nations international 
conventions on narcotics to which Honduras is a signatory. 
4. The purpose of the import permit system is to curb the diversion of controlled substance to 
illicit uses.  The quantity of drugs imported must not exceed anticipated medical or scientific needs in 
Honduras.  The system also ensures that Honduras is  able to meet its international obligations. 
5. Constitution of the Republic:  Articles 145, 146 , 147 and 245, sections 11 and 49.  Law on 
Public Administration, Articles 29 and 67, sections 2, 6, 7, 8 and 9.  Regulations on the Organization, 
Functioning and Powers of the Executive, Law on Ad ministrative Procedure, Article 41, Official 
Gazette ( La Gaceta ) No. 30841 of 4 November 2005, Regulations on the sanitary control of products, 
services and establishments in the health sector. 
 The import permit procedure is mandatory.  Th e legislation specifies the products which are 
subject to this procedure.  The Executive cannot abolish the import permit system, since the legal 
basis lies with the legislative authority and the la tter has to approve any changes on a proposal by the 
Executive. 
Procedures
 
6.I. The United Nations publishes allocations of  quotas for narcotics and records imports per 
country on its web site.  Honduras does not allocate fixed quantities to countries. 
 
II. Quotas are allocated annually, from June to  June.  Permits are extended according to 
importers' needs and are valid for 150 days. 
III. Quotas are allocated to distributors and/or domestic producers.  Checks are carried out 
together with the prosecuting authorities among di stributors and domestic producers to ensure 
that permits are used for importation.  Wh en necessary, quantities not used are carried 
forward to the subsequent period.  This is  not communicated to governments in order to 
preserve confidentiality and for security reasons. 
IV. Not applicable. 
V. Within 15 working days of receipt of the application. 
VI. Applications are examined as and when received. 
VII. Only one administrative organ, namely the Health Products Unit.  G/LIC/N/3/HND/1 
 Page 7 
 
 
  VIII. Permits are issued to authorized distributors or  producers in chronological order of receipt.  
There is no maximum amount allocated per applican t;  applications are dealt with in the order 
in which they are received. 
IX. Under Honduran law and the international estim ates system of the International Narcotics 
Control Board of the United Nations, narcotic , controlled and restricted drugs requiring 
import permits also require export permits i ssued by the competent authorities of the 
exporting country. 
X. Not applicable. 
XI. Not applicable. 
7. (a) Only authorized establishments may im port these substances.  An import application 
must be submitted sufficiently in advance of the expected importation. 
(b) and (c) Not applicable. (d) The Directorate of Health Regulati on has sole responsibility for examining 
applications for import permits. 
8. An import permit may be refused if any of the re quirements laid down in the legislation is not 
met;  the applicant is notified of the grounds for refu sal.  Applicants have the right of appeal to the 
General Directorate of Health Regulation of the Ministry of Health. 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
 
9. Only legally authorized producers and/or distributors. 
Documentational and other require ments for application for licence  
10. (a) - Application signed by the chief pharmacist of the pharmacy or head of the 
 manufacturing laboratory with  the appropriate L. 5 fiscal  stamp and L. 150 fee; 
- details of the product to be imported (qua ntity in grams, concentration, unit dose); 
- exact address of importer/exporter; 
- customs port of entry. 
(b) - Application signed by the manager of th e precursor chemicals distributor with the 
 appropriate L. 5 fiscal stamp and L. 150 fee; 
- details of the product to be imported ( quantity in litres, kg. or metric tonnes, 
 concentration, unit dose); - exact address of importer/exporter; - pro forma invoice; - customs port of entry. 
11. -  Invoice; 
-  Certificate of origin; 
-  Import permit certificate. 
12. A total of L. 155 by way of fiscal stamp and fee. 
13. Not applicable. G/LIC/N/3/HND/1 
Page 8  
 
  Conditions of licensing
 
14. An import permit is valid for 150 working days.  It cannot be extended. 
15. No penalties apply. 
16. Import permits are not transferable. 
17. Not applicable. 
Other procedural requirements  
18. Precautionary measures. 
19. Not applicable. 
III. MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND THE ENVIRONMENT 
A. TECHNICAL OZONE UNIT 
1. Refrigerants and Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Equipment 
Outline of system  
1. Import permits (non-automatic licences) are re quired for the importation of refrigerant 
substances in all forms and for all purposes, in orde r to comply with the timetable for eliminating 
CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) and controlling consum ption as part of national obligations under the 
Montreal Protocol. 
 Authorization to import these substances is gr anted only to firms duly registered with the 
UTOH (Technical Ozone Unit), which comes under th e Ministry of Natural Resources and the 
Environment (SERNA).  
Purposes and coverage of licensing
 
2. Import licences or authorizations are necessary for: 
- CFC refrigerant gases (chlorofluorocarbons); 
- HFC refrigerant gases (hydrofluorocarbons); 
- HCFC refrigerant gases (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) Mixed azeotropic refrigerant 
gases; 
- Zeotropic refrigerant gases. 
3. The import licensing system applies to products from all countries without exception. 
4. The purpose of the import licensing system for refrigerants is to control the quantities 
imported per annum and per type of  substance, in accordance with th e CFC elimination timetable in 
force;  it also entirely restricts the entry of equi pment functioning with this type of gas (CFC). 
5. The procedure under this system of authorization is set out in Chapter II of the General 
Regulations on the Use of Substances Which Deplet e the Ozone Layer, published in the Official  G/LIC/N/3/HND/1 
 Page 9 
 
 
  Gazette ( La Gaceta ) of 13 November 2002 under Executive Decision No. 907-2002, giving effect to 
the general provisions of the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and its 
annexes and the Montreal Protocol and its amendments. 
Procedures  
6. With regard to imports of CFCs, Honduras h as a timetable for reducing and eliminating 
imports, limiting quantities for each type of CFC refrige rant each year until the goal of zero imports is 
attained from 2010 onwards, an undertaking shared by all the world's developing countries. 
I. Information on the limited quantities to be im ported per CFC refrigerant per annum was given 
in an appendix to the General Regulations on the Use of Substances Which Deplete the Ozone 
Layer, published in the Official Gazette ( La Gaceta ) in November 2002. 
II. The quantity or volume of CFC refrigerant must be calculated on the basis of the quantity 
fixed as the baseline for the country, which is the product of the average quantities reported as 
consumed in the period 1995-1999, frozen from the year 2002 until 2010.  These quantities 
must show a gradual decrease, the percentage of which will vary according to each country's 
individual undertakings under the Montreal Protocol. 
III. As regards products or refrigerants, the quotas are allocated for each type of refrigerant;  in 
the case of Honduras only control of reducti on and elimination of three types of 
CFC substances (R-12, R-502, R-11) is recorded;  quotas are allocated as an average per type 
of refrigerant and the import authorizations ar e allocated for each importation applied for by 
registered firms and for a limited time, so th at they are valid only for each individual 
importation and lose their validity after a certain time. 
Any firm which has not imported the products with in this period of validity must make a new 
application for authorization, which must th en be checked by th e UTOH for the Executive 
Directorate of Revenue (DEI).  The quantities a nd restrictions are managed together with the 
other member countries of the Montreal Protocol  which apply legislation and import controls 
of this kind. 
IV. Quotas and quantities are annual;  they terminate on the last day of the last month of the year 
and give entitlement from the first day of the fi rst month of the year;  surplus quantities which 
have not been applied for within the period of validity may not be carried over to the 
following year.  Applications are made accordi ng to the needs or the procurement programme 
drawn up by each firm, and the UTOH approves only quantities coming within the limits which country is permitted to import each year. 
V. From the first of January to the second half of December each year. 
VI. Not applicable, as authorizations are given within the period corresponding to each 
importation period, in this case within the current year. 
VII. Applications for importing refrigerants are processed only by the UTOH, a section of 
SERNA, which is responsible for applying th e Montreal Protocol at national level. 
VIII. The total quantities which the country is permitte d to import each year are administered by 
the Technical Ozone Unit, which at the same time controls the registration system for importers and distributors of these substances at national level.  The amounts (percentages) of 
CFC refrigerant making up the import total are allocated by the project office to each firm in proportion to the average imports reported and regist ered in previous years, and are granted as G/LIC/N/3/HND/1 
Page 10  
 
  and when applications are received;  where a quota is available for a firm which does not 
intend to use it, it may be distributed among other registered importers for their use. 
IX. Honduras envisages a corresponding measure within  the existing legal framework for the 
importation of ozone-d epleting substances. 
X. Import permits and authorizations are granted under the procedures laid down in the current 
Regulations on the Use of Substances Which Deplete the Ozone Layer. 
XI. In addition to the three CFCs referred to ear lier and included in the annual CFC quotas, this 
system of authorizations comprises all refrigerants in general, the quantities of which are however not restricted.  The only imports authorized on condition that they are not marketed inside the country are those granted to tran snational or domestic firms operating under the 
Temporary Import Rules, and solely for the firm's use;  such authorizations are granted only 
for non-CFC substances. 
7. Where there is no quantitative limit on importa tion of a product or on imports from a 
particular country, it applies only to non-CFC re frigerants.  CFCs are subject to quantitative 
restrictions, regardless of the following: 
(a) Applications must be made before import ation and are processed within the next 
five working days following the date of r eceipt of the application containing all the 
required information, otherwise not until all the information has been supplied.  For 
imports arriving at the port of entry without  the corresponding authorization, the latter 
is granted if they are within the permitted quantities;  otherwise the surplus or non-permitted quantities are seized and the firm incurs an administrative penalty from the 
Executive Directorate of Revenue and the Ministry of Natural Resources and a penal 
sanction from the competent bodies such as  the Border Police and the Special 
Environment Prosecution Authority. 
(b) No. 
(c) Available quotas or amounts for refrigerant imports are valid only for the current 
year.  It is not possible to carry over quota amounts from previous years or make 
advance use of quantities for future year s, because Honduras, as a member of the 
Montreal Protocol, is required each year to communicate its statistics on consumption 
of these substances and the country's c onsumption is measured on the basis of 
imports, which may not exceed the annual limits permitted under the provisions of the Montreal Protocol. 
(d) Honduras's Technical Ozone Unit, which comes under the Ministry of Natural 
Resources and the Environment (SERNA), is in sole charge of processing applications for imports of refrigerants. 
8. The main reason for refusing authorization to im port refrigerants is that no quota is available 
or that the quota available to the importing firm h as been used up, or where the substance the firm 
seeks to import is not registered with the relevant o ffice or there is inadequate technical information to 
permit identification and classification of the substance.  G/LIC/N/3/HND/1 
 Page 11 
 
 
  Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
9. Any person, firm or institution registered as an  importer or distributor of refrigerants, as 
required by the General Regulations on the Use of  Substances Which Deplete the Ozone Layer, may 
apply for an import or export authorization. 
Documentational and other require ments for application for licence  
10. The main data to be supplied in the import a pplication are the precise quantities per type of 
refrigerant to be imported, tariff classification by  substance, trade name, type of compound (pure, 
mixed), port of entry, final destination, country of  provenance, and exact name and address of the firm 
from which the substances are being obtained.  A copy of the pro forma invoice for the importer's 
order or purchase must be attached. 
11. In addition to the documentation required by  the Executive Directorate of Revenue, the 
importer must present the import authorization granted by the Technical Ozone Unit, which must correspond in all details and amounts to the invoices and certificates for the products imported;  this 
will be checked by the customs official at the port of entry of the product. 
12. Not applicable. 
13. Not applicable. 
Conditions of licensing
 
14. Authorization is granted by the relevant offi ce for each import applied for and is valid for 
variable periods.  It cannot be extended where th e importer does not import the products within the 
period of validity, in which case the importer will ha ve to submit a further application explaining the 
causes or reasons for failure to import.  The original  authorization will be re voked and another will be 
issued with a new period of validity. 
15. There is no penalty for non-use or partial u se.  If the permitted quantities are exceeded, the 
importer incurs a penalty and the surplus is seized. 
16. They are not transferable. 
17. Only for firms registered for importation of non-CFC refrigerants;  these are not subject to 
quantitative restrictions, but the pr oducts may be used only for internal, not for commercial, purposes. 
Other procedural requirements  
18. There are no other procedural requirements prior to importation. 
19. Not applicable. 
2. Methyl bromide 
Outline of system  
1. Import (non-automatic) permits are required for the importation of methyl bromide in all 
forms, in order to comply with the timetable for gradually eliminating methyl bromide and controlling 
consumption as part of national oblig ations under the Montreal Protocol. G/LIC/N/3/HND/1 
Page 12  
 
   Authorization to import these substances is granted only to firms duly registered under the 
registration system administered by the Office of Plant Health (SENASA) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG) and SERNA's Technical Ozone Unit.  
Purposes and coverage of licensing
 
2. Import licences or authorizations are necessary fo r methyl bromide in whatever formulation, 
the most commonly used in the country being 98 per cent and 67 per cent. 
3. The import licensing system applies to products from all countries without exception. 
4. The purpose of authorizations for importation of methyl bromide is to control the quantities of 
this substance imported per annum, in accordance with  the methyl bromide elimination timetable in 
force. 
5. The procedure under this authorization system is set out in the General Regulations on the 
Use of Substances Which Deplete the Ozone Layer, published in the Official Gazette ( La Gaceta ) of 
13 November 2002 under Executive Decision No. 907-2002,  giving effect to the general provisions of 
the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone  Layer and its annexes, the Montreal Protocol 
and its amendments and the Law on Plant Health enacted under Decree No. 23 of 1962. 
Procedures  
6. With regard to imports of methyl bromid e, Honduras has a timetable for reducing and 
eliminating imports, limiting quantities for each year  until the goal of zero imports is attained from 
2013 onwards. 
I. Information on the limited quantities of methyl bromide to be imported per annum was given 
in an appendix to the General Regulations on the Use of Substances Which Deplete the Ozone 
Layer, published in the Official Gazette ( La Gaceta ) in November 2002. 
II. The quantity or volume of methyl bromide must be calculated on the basis of the quantity 
fixed as the baseline for the country, which is the product of the average quantities reported as 
consumed in the period 1995-1998, frozen in the year 2002.  From that year until 2013 these 
quantities must show a gradual decrease, the per centage of which will vary according to each 
country's individual undertakings under the Montreal Protocol. 
III. The quota for bromide products in the case of H onduras is allocated as a consumption average 
for each firm registered with the SENASA pest control office of the Ministry of Agriculture 
and Livestock.  Authorization to import is  granted to applicant firms and SENASA is 
responsible for issuing and checking ot her necessary documentation such as the 
corresponding product registers for each import permit;  quantities and restrictions are 
managed or agreed together with the other memb er states of the Montreal Protocol who apply 
legislation and import controls of this kind. 
IV. Quotas and quantities are annual;  they terminate on the last day of the last month of the year 
and give entitlement from the first day of the fi rst month of the year;  surplus quantities which 
have not been applied for within the period of validity may not be carried over to the 
following year.  Applications are made accordi ng to the needs or the procurement programme 
drawn up by each firm, and the UTOH authorizes SENASA to issue import permits only for quantities coming within the limits which the country is permitted to import each year. 
V. From the first of January to the second half of December each year.  G/LIC/N/3/HND/1 
 Page 13 
 
 
  VI. Not applicable, as authorizations are given within the period corresponding to each 
importation period, in this case within the current year. 
VII. Applications for importing methyl bromide are dealt with by the UTOH, a section of SERNA, 
which is responsible for applying the Montreal  Protocol at national level, and by the 
SENASA pest control office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. 
VIII. The total quantities which the country is permitte d to import each year are administered by 
the UTOH, which, in conjunction with the SE NASA management, controls the registration 
system for importers and distributors of these substances at national level.  The amounts (percentages) of methyl bromide making up the import total are allocated by the project office 
to each firm in proportion to the average imports  reported and registered in previous years;  
they are allocated to each firm at the star t of the year and are granted as and when 
applications are received. 
IX. Honduras envisages a corresponding measure within  the existing legal framework for the 
importation of ozone-d epleting substances. 
X. Import permits and authorizations are granted under the procedures laid down in the current 
Regulations on the Use of Substances Which De plete the Ozone Layer, and the procedures 
laid down in the Law on Plant Health in force. 
XI. Not applicable. 
XII. Not applicable. 
7. (a) Applications must be made prior to im portation and are processed within the next five 
working days following the date of receipt of the application containing all the 
required information, otherwise not until all the information has been supplied.  As 
regards UTOH, the corresponding SENASA action will depend on its established 
procedures.  For imports arriving at the port of entry without the necessary authorization, the latter is granted if th e quantities imported are within the permitted 
quantities;  otherwise the surplus or non- permitted quantities are seized and the firm 
incurs an administrative penalty from th e DEI, SERNA and SAG and a penal sanction 
from the competent bodies such as the Bord er Police and the Special Environment 
Prosecution Authority. 
 
(b) No. 
(c) Available quotas or totals for methyl bromide imports are valid only for the current 
year.  It is not possible to carry over quantities from previous years or make advance 
use of quantities for future years, because Honduras, as a member of the Montreal Protocol, is required each year to communica te its statistics on consumption of these 
substances, and the country's consumption is measured on the basis of imports, which 
may not exceed the annual limits permitted under the provisions of the Montreal 
Protocol. 
8. The main reason for refusing an import authorization for methyl bromide is that no quota is 
available or that the quota available to the importin g firm has been used up, or where the substance 
the firm seeks to import is not registered by the relevant office or there is inadequate technical 
information to permit identification and classification of the substance. G/LIC/N/3/HND/1 
Page 14  
 
  Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
 
9. An application for import authorization may be made by any firm recorded in the importers' 
register administered by the SENASA management, in conjunction with the provisions of the General 
Regulations on the Use of Substances Which Deplete the Ozone Layer. 
Documentational and other require ments for application for licence  
10. The main data to be provided in the impor t application are the precise quantities of the 
product to be imported, tariff classification, trade name, type of compound (per cent active ingredient), port of entry, final destination, count ry of provenance, and exact name and address of the 
firm from which the substance is being obtained.  A copy of the pro forma invoice for the importer's 
order or purchase must be attached. 
11. In addition to the documentation required by  the General Directorate of Customs, the 
importer must present the import authorization granted by the UTOH, which must correspond in all details and quantities to the invoices and certificates for the products imported;  this will be checked 
by the customs official at the port of entry of the product, as well as further information required by 
the SENASA pest control office. 
12. No. 
13. No. 
Conditions of licensing
 
14. Authorization is granted for each import applied for and is valid for a period determined on a 
prudential basis.  It cannot be extended where th e importer does not import the products within the 
period of validity, in which case the importer will ha ve to submit a further application explaining the 
causes or reasons for failure to import.  The origin al authorization will be cancelled and another will 
be issued with a new period of validity. 
15. There is no penalty for non-use or partial u se.  If the permitted quantities are exceeded, the 
importer incurs a penalty and the surplus is seized. 
16. They are not transferable. 
17. No. 
Other procedural requirements  
18. There are no other procedural requirements prior to importation. 
19. Not applicable. 
IV. MINISTRY OF DEFENCE 
Outline of system  
Automatic licences 
 1. Pursuant to the Law on the Control of Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives and the Like, a 
licensing and permit system applies in order to cont rol the importation of, and trade in, firearms and  G/LIC/N/3/HND/1 
 Page 15 
 
 
  ammunition and the importation of explosives;  the Ministry of National Defence is responsible for 
administering control on importation and the provisions  of the law through a specialized organ of the 
Honduran armed forces. 
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
2. (a) An automatic licence is granted to th e Armoury and to firms authorized to import 
explosives. 
 
(b) Non-automatic licences are for persons appl ying to import explosives and are issued 
within a period no longer than 30 days. 
3. All countries except those whose legislation does not allow them to export. 
4. No;  the general purpose of the import licensing syst em is to prevent the issuing of licences to 
persons in categories prohibited by law from possessing firearms. 
 Apart from the above purpose, the import require ments are intended to ensure that imported 
items are for use by official bodies (semi-automatic rifles, machine-guns, destructive devices, surplus 
military firearms or other similar firearms), and at  the same time to maintain internal control over 
imported products. 
 5. Article 292 of the Constitution of the Republic , the Law Organizing the Armed Forces of 
Honduras, and the Law on the Control of Fir earms, Ammunition, Explosives and the Like. 
 It is mandatory to apply for a licence to  import weapons and e xplosives.  Honduran 
legislation stipulates which items are subject to licence: 
 
 Small arms and hand-held wea pons:  revolvers and semi-automat ic pistols up to point four-
five inches (.45), or eleven point five millimetr es (11.5) calibre;  long or  shoulder-held weapons:  
single-shot and semi automatic rifles and carbines up to point three hundred and eight calibre (.308);  single-shot or semi automatic shotguns of calibre te n (10), twelve (12), sixteen (16), twenty (20) and 
point four hundred and ten (.410), wherever the barrel  is no less than forty-six centimetres (46 cm) or 
eighteen (18) inches in length.  Ammunition for the above.  Accessories and spares for weapons, and 
explosives for commercial use:  those used in th e construction industry and pyrotechnic industrial 
processes;  and cartridges used in powder- or othe r explosive-actuated tools for fastening industrial 
construction anchors.  Gunpowder in any composition;  picric acid;  trinitrotoluene;  nitroglycerine;  
nitrostarches;  nitrocellulose;  dynamite and amatol s;  generally speaking, any substance, mixture or 
compound with explosive properties;  initiators;  detonators;  safety fuses;  detonator cords;  
pyrotechnic devices;  any instrument or mechan ism usable for explosive purposes;  chlorate;  
perchlorates;  sodium metal;  military explosives:  those used in warfare or manufactured with like 
intent, exclusively for use by th e armed forces and police forces. 
 Procedures
 
6. Not applicable. 
7. The Secretariat of State for National Defe nce has sole responsibility for examining 
applications. 
 Import licences are issued to the Armoury with in a maximum of two days from receipt of the 
application. 
 G/LIC/N/3/HND/1 
Page 16  
 
   Licences for importation of explosives are issued within 30 days maximum. 
  The Secretariat of State for National Defence is in charge of examining applications and subsequently refers to the Strategic Directorat e of the Armed Forces to determine what security 
measures to apply. 
 
 There is no difficulty in granting an import li cence to a particular firm, since there are only 
two firms authorized to import explosives and arms.   Licences are issued on the basis of cons umer need in chronological order. 
 
8. There are no additional procedures.  Reasons for refusal are notified to the applicant in 
writing, and appeals against refusal may be submitted to the Secretariat of State for National Defence. 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
 
9. Any person, firm or institution may apply for a licence. 
Documentational and other require ments for application for licence  
10. With regard to import licences for explosives: 
(a) Names and family names of the applicant, civil status, nationality, profession or 
occupation, identity card number, exact home address and that of habitual place of residence. 
(b) Statement of quantity of explosives,  make and other characteristics. 
(c) Statement of purpose for which they are to be used, plus indication of the place where 
the explosives are to be stored and employed. 
(d) Commercial description of applicant's activity. 
11. -  Application for import licence 
-  Certificate of origin 
-  Pro forma invoice. 
12. The applicant is required to pay the sum of  L. 1,000 for each explosives import licence. 
13. This is a mandatory requirement for all applican ts;  if an application is rejected because the 
applicant is not authorized to import, the amount is not refundable;  application for cancellation of 
duties payable must be submitted by the appli cant to the Executive Directorate of Revenue. 
Conditions of licensing
 
14. There is no expiry date for import licences a nd a licence is issued for each application. 
15. There is no penalty for non-use of a licence. 
16. Import licences are not transferable. 
17. The issue of a licence is not subject to other conditions.  G/LIC/N/3/HND/1 
 Page 17 
 
 
  Other procedural requirements  
18. There are no other procedural requirements prior to importation. 
19. Not applicable. 
__________